Editor's note: This story has been corrected. The original version reported that the Britcom gala would take place July 27. In fact, it is scheduled for July 26.

MONTREAL - Evidently, it’s a tale of two solitudes, with one more in a mood for laughter than the other. The Just for Laughs fest’s 30th anniversary bash seems to be going over in decidedly different ways with anglo and franco ticket-buyers here.

Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon has been so concerned over a drop in ticket sales for the French-language portion of the festival that he summoned student-protest leaders Monday for a conference to talk about their impact on festivals in particular and tourism here in general.

Yet on the other side of the linguistic divide, Robbie Praw, head of programming for the English-language portion of the festival, is remarkably upbeat about sales. So much so, that he has been adding a slew of new shows.

Although the announcement will only be officially made Tuesday, The Gazette has learned that JFL has landed fest fave and America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel and Community star Joel McHale to host galas on, respectively, July 28 at 7 p.m. and July 28 at 10 p.m. at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier in Place des Arts. Furthermore, John Pinette, who has already sold out his July 24 gala, has been booked to host a second one, July 25 at 7 p.m. at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier.

Plus, the ever-cunning Scottish wit Danny Bhoy has been added to the Britcom gala, joing forces with the already announced and ever-acerbic Brit Jimmy Carr, July 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Théâtre Maisonneuve in Place des Arts. On top of that, a second Britcom show, featuring Bhoy as well as Carr, has been added at 10 p.m. at the same venue

And Jeremy Hotz, the dry and droll Canuck and gift to this country’s mental-health industry, will be hosting two shows, July 23 at 7 and 10 p.m. at Club Soda. Doubtless, his neuroses will come much into play.

“Not only are English-language show ticket-sales not being curtailed, but the fact that we’re adding galas and more shows should indicate that sales have been extremely positive,” Praw says.

“Obviously, many Montrealers are excited about our English programming and we’re seeing that in ticket sales. In fact, we beat sales records from last year over the first two days of sales, and we’ve more than maintained sales since.”

The bullish attitude extends to the Zoofest, a component of and held in conjunction with Just for Laughs. “We are so confident about the Zoofest that we’ve actually doubled the amount of programming from last year,” Praw adds.

The Zoofest lineup will be unveiled Wednesday afternoon.

McHale is a solid score for the fest. In addition to starring in Community and a variety of films, he is featured in Seth MacFarlane’s much-anticipated TED (hitting theatres June 29), the touching tale of a boy and his teddy bear which also has Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and MacFarlane. McHale is even better known to some for his masterful and hysterical skewering of pop culture and current events on E’s weekly The Soup.

Mandel needs no intro to local audiences. A serial Just for Laughs performer, Mandel reinvented himself from actor in St. Elsewhere to show host and judge on the hit shows Deal or No Deal and America’s Got Talent, also featuring Sharon Osbourne and Howard Stern. His animated children’s series, Bobby’s World, ran eight seasons and lives in syndication in 65 countries. He’s also a best-selling author with his memoir about his life, career and germaphobia, Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me. And when time permits, he still does some stand-up.

Pinette, star of stage, screen and waterparks, also has a massive local fan base – although he is not as massive as he once was, having shed close to 100 pounds since last seen here. Another serial fest performer, Pinette never fails to sell out his shows, thus accounting for the addition of his second gala.

Nor can locals ever seem to get enough of Danny Bhoy at the festival. A guaranteed sell-out as well, Bhoy is a raconteur with few peers in the trade. Good thing he has been added to Britcom while Scotland is still part of U.K. There are many Scots who seek independence. Small wonder Bhoy feels at home here.

Tickets for the Howie Mandel and John Pinette galas, are $45.50 to $85.50 and for Joel McHale, $29.50 to $49.50. Tickets for the Jeremy Hotz shows are $35.50, and $39.50 for the two Britcom shows with Danny Bhoy. For complete schedule, additional information and ticket reservations, go to www.hahaha.com or call 514-845-2322.

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While Montrealers have to wait a month until Just for Laughs, escape is more immediate with the 19th edition of the Mondial de la bière, Wednesday to Sunday at Place Bonaventure.

Tipplers much in need of a respite from daily living and grinding in this town should be in Homer Simpson heaven: about 725 beers, honey wines, ciders and malt-based beverages will be available for your sipping pleasure.

But the accent is on the brew, with 637 beers from 191 breweries around the planet – and 295 of these brewskis are new to this fest. Spotlight this year is on the beer of Argentina and Brazil. And as in past years, biertrotters can wash back the amber stuff with an array of munchies, from more conventional cheese and sausages to such exotica as boar and buffalo on a stick to kangaroo meat – which should leave consumers of the latter really hopped out.

Singer-songwriter Jérôme Charlebois is the spokesperson for the event.

‘‘Beer and music go so well together, especially on the same day,” he says. And he will soon find out. He performs with his band Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the event.

Son of the legendary Québécois chansonnier Robert Charlebois, Jérôme clearly shares much in common with his dad. Robert was a co-owner of the renowned Quebec microbrewery Unibroue – before it was sold to Sleeman and, later, to the Japanese beer giant Sapporo. Jérôme, when not making music, had served as a Unibroue rep for four years.

“Unibroue paved the way for microbreweries in Quebec and elsewhere,” notes Jérôme, who has a preference for blondes – in ales, that is. “But the beauty of it all is that each microbrewery brings its own unique flavour and culture to its product.”

Jérome is set to release his third disc in the fall and will be letting loose at Les FrancoFolies in an outdoor concert on the Grand Scène, June 13 at 7 p.m. And dad Robert will follow his son at Les FrancoFolies at 9 p.m. at the same venue to mark his 50th year in the music biz.

Jokes Jérôme: “It will be yet another celebration of local music and local beer, I’m sure.”

The 19th Mondial de la bière, runs Wednesday to Sunday at Place Bonaventure, 800 de la Gauchetière St. W. Organizers encourage public transport. Entrance is free, but tasting coupons cost $1 each.

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